Amusement device



May 19, 1925. 1,538,647

F. J. NEWSBAUM AMUSEMENT DEVICE Fil ed Jan. 22. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Show M01,

f ra/v/r A/ewsbaurrn May 19, 1925.

v F. J. NEWSBAUM AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 19, 1925. 1,538,647

F. J. NEWSBAUM AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 22. 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet '5 May 19, 1925. r 1,538,647

F. J. NEWSBAUM AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Jan. 22, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 fitter um:

Patented May 19, 1925.

UNITED STATES FRANK JACOB NEW'SBAUM, 0Z1! DETRQ'IT, MICHIGAN.

AMUSEMENT DEVICE.

Application filed. January 22, 1924. Serial No, 687,838.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK JAoon News- BAUM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Detroit, in the county of lVayne and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Amusement Device, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to amusement devices, and is particularly a bicycling race for amusement parks or auditoriums of the carrousel type where the rider is free to increase the velocity of his vehicle over a moving course.

The object of the invention is to produce a novel amusement device of the type above mentioned which will arouse interest, stimulate contests between participants, and furnish abundant excitement, due to the manner in which the device is to be operated.

With these objects in view, the invention resides in sundry details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts which will appear as the specification proceeds.

In this specification and the annexed drawings, the invention is disclosed inthe form in which it is considered to be the best, but the invention is not limited to such form because it is capable of being embodied in other forms; and it is to be understood that in and by the claims following the description herein it is intended to cover the invention in'whatever form it may embody within the scope thereof.

In the drawings, which show the embodie ment of the invention as at present devised:

Figure 1 is a plan view showing diagrammatically the race course.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view of the race course taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating the general construction of the platform or racing course and the driving means for the movable racing track.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2., looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrating a movable track having a bicycle mounted thereon.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged f'agmentary plan of a section of a movable track shown in Fig. 3, but with the bicycle removed, the portions of the bicycle support lying under the track being shown in dotted lines, as

well as the drive shaft and the track-sup porting means.

F ig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Fig. 4. 3

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the vehicle support and guiding means, and

Fig. 7-is a fragmentary detail sectional view of the upper end of said support and guiding means shown in Fig. 6.

It is the plan of this invention to pro vide a plurality of moving platforms or tracks which may take a rectilinear, elliptical or circular course, as desired, these tracks being arranged side by side and moved at appropriate speeds to travel the same distance in a given space of time. The tracks or platforms each have mounted thereon, at spaced-apart distances, a vehicle adapted to be propelled by its occupant in the direction of movement of the track, the vehicle being locked or otherwise attached to the track in order that it cannot be propelled or displaced therefrom, but must maintain the course as defined by the track.

One of the means by which this invention may be carried into practice is shown in the drawings, wherein a stationary platform 1 is provided at a desired distance above the ground, this platform having a plurality of parallel or concentric slots or ways pro vided therein throughout its length in each of which is disposed a moving track 2. In Fig. 1, the platform is shown as being circular and may be constructed of any suit able material and in any suitable manner to accomplish the general aims of the invention. Likewise, the tracks 2 can be of any suitable material and construction.

The under-face of each track has mounted thereon a gear rack 8 engaged by gear wheels 4 mounted fast on the drive shaft 5 propelled by any suitable source of power. When the course is elliptical or circular in form, it is preferred to have the gears 4, of such size, or provide other mechanism, for rotating the respective tracks 2 at such speeds as will move them in unison and to make only one complete revolution of the circle or ellipse in the same space of time.

The tracks 2 are supported in position by rollers 6 suitably spaced at intervals around the tracks and engaging rail surface 7 on the under face of each track or moving platform. In the present instance the rail surface is formed integral with the rack 3, although it may be separated, or otherwise provided. In order to prevent lateral shifting of the tracks, the Wheels 6 have tread flanges 6* engageable with a side face of the rails 7. The Wheels 6 are supported by bearing brackets 8 on suitable foundations.

The vehicles 9 may be of any type-ordesign capable of being propelled by the occupant or rider, but it is-preferred: to use a bicycle of an ordinary type and construc tion, because it is calculated that the bicycle will lend itself more readily to-the particle lar planof thein-vention and to the excitement of contest.

The vehicles or bicycles 9 are positioned on the moving. tracks 2,-in spaced. rows: as indicated in Figure 1, to move-therewith and are-so connected tothemov-ing tracks as to be propelled thereoverby the occupant-- independent of the movement of the tracks.

In order to maintain the bicycles on the tracks against displacement and so. that they will traverse the coursedeiined by theirrespectivet-racksxas Well. as to, sustain the illustrated in Figures bicycle in an upright positionagainst falling, sidewise, a supporting or bracket trolley 10 is provided which comprises. annpright (4 having a clamping-bracket I), at its upper :end. tobe removably secured 'toa portion/of a depending flange thcreon'which' is pro vided by. one flange f .of Tfl 1' lg1l6 -ll.0lh strips 1 11 coextensive with thetrack,- the other. flange g of the strips. being secured: to the;- under face of the tracks and'servingas a reinforcing element asavell as. avtear plate engaged by. rollers 12 journalle-d. on. the-in- Wardly extending portions 6 of th arms ofthe yoke.

To. prevent twisting of the trolleys on the tracks, which may cause the portions d to.

bind againstthe edges thereof, rollers 13, are journalled on arms h, extending laterally in.. opposite directions from.thesportions of the yokes, to engage the inneriface of vertical flanges of the angle strips 11., At least pair of these rollersare provided on veach portion 0 ontheyolre members,oneqroller being; positioned in front. of :the rollerand another to. the, rear thereto, as. clearly:

3 and 4. This Cons struct-ion. preventst ortionalmovement of the trolley in a direction. transversely. of the track and thereby; insures the proper movement of thetrolley overthe track Without bindingagainst the side edges thereof or of the stationary platform 1.

The clamping member Z); in the present instance, consists of a semi-cylindrical socket 14 provided on the upper end of the upright a of the trolley 10. to receive the hanger of the bicycle. A pair of strips 15 are hingedly mounted to one-edgeaof the socket and are adapted to extend over the upper portion of: the, hanger to be-secured tothe opposite edge of-the socket-by any suitable means,

such as. the wingscrews 16,. which will .permit the bicycle or Vehicle ta-be readily detached or removed from the trolley. In the eventvehicles other than bicycles. are employed,. the attachingrlevice b. of the-trolley, may bemodified. as found convenient and desirable.

. A portion of each track2 is removably attached to the rack 3 in orderto. permit the trolleys tobe removed and'inserted in position, as will beclearl understood.

In operating the deviceof this invention the movable. tracks 2 are provided with a plurality of. starting lines. 17, spaced about along: their length or circumference, eachline'extend'ing transversely across the entire series of moving tracks 2, and since the tracks rotate in unison, or in other Words, travel thesai-ne distance in the same space of time, these starting lines 17, of each track will. always. maintain their proper transverse alignment or relation." Therefore, at the beginning oftherace attendants Willmove the bicycles-nor vehicles into. spared rows corresponding with the starting lines: Then the 'bicyclesorvehicles are occupied, the shaft 5- will be .set in operation to. cause the moving tracks to. begin: toinove or rotate in their course of travel. Simultaneously with the beginning of the movement-of the tracks 2,, a gongwill be sounded, or other signal given, which Will indicatethe: beginning of the contest. The starting line 17, howevery may be onthe stationary platform or ma be in the form of posts-or the like, as desired.

The vscheme of amusement of this invention; exists, in a competitive race or contest between 'the occupants of the bicycle starting from eachline. 1 7 Who will upon. the signalbeing given, begin to propel the bicycles over their respective moving track Ways. The one finishing in advance of the others when the secondrsignal is. given and. the movement :of the tracks. stopped iss'the Winner of the contest.

This an'rusementWi-ll furnish an abundance of excitement because the bicycles on one track cannot. pass tlie. others on the same traclgf in .swhicli event, should 1 a rider overs takethe rider in." front of hilnhe will call to him. topropel. faster,

It is also contemplated. by. this invention,

when an elliptical or circular course is used, to have the tracks progressing outwardly move at a greater rate of speed in order to compensate for the greater distance around each of the courses. 1

It is also well within the purview of this invention to permit the tracks 2 to remain stationary, or to be moved backward, or in other words, in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of the vehicle, this, together with other refinements and modifi cations in the operation of the amusement, being within the discretion of the operator of the device. Further, the steering wheel of the bicycle may be locked or otherwise fixed in position by a set screw or other suitable device 18, in order that the steering wheel can not be turned off the course defined on its respective track.

After each race or contest the occupants or riders of the bicycles will dismount and the attendants-will rearrange the bicycles in rows at the starting lines 17 for the contest to be repeated.

By having the tracks rotate in the direction of travel of the bicycles or vehicles, the riders will be given a ride over the course even though the vehicles are not propelled; and in the event they desire to propel the vehicles the speed of travel will be increased much beyond the speed attained by the ordinary bicycle rider on a stationary or fixed track thereby adding to the excitement of the contest. If the tracks are rotated in a direction opposite to the direction of the propelled vehicles, the race is made more ditlicult and strenuous because the riders must overcome the rearvard speed of the track before headway or progress is made. it is, therefore, obvious that the amusement device of this invention is susceptible to ready manipulation to vary the excitement and character of contest as may be determined from time to time by the operator, without the liability of any injury to the riders, because the vehicles must follow a definite path of travel and are so secured to the tracks that they will not fall to one side.

The trolley 10 shown in the drawings is of such size and proportions that the wheels 12 will, engage the underside of the tracks 2 when unoccupied and when the air pressure in the tires of the bicycles are inflated to a predetermined degree, thereby n'iaintaining the bicycles when unoccupied in a perpendicular position. However, when the bicycles are mounted the additional weight carried thereby will compress the tires at their points of traction sufliciently to move the wheels 12 slightly out of contact with the under-face of the track 2, thereby removing a large degree of friction and drag which may be incident to the use 01 the trolleys 10.

Having now particularly described the construction and ascertained the nature ot' the said invention and in whatmanner it is to be performed, what is claimed as new and upon which it is desired to secure by Letters Patent is 1. An amusement device of the kind described comprising a traveling trackway defining a continuous course extending in a general horizontal direction, and a propellable vehicle mounted on the trackway to move therewith in a definite course and capable of being propelled thereover by the occupant independent of the movement of the track.

2. An amusement device of the kind described comprising a traveling trackway defining a general horizontal course, a manually propelled bicycle mounted on the track to be propelled thereover, and connecting means between the track and bicycle for confining the latter to the course and against unauthorized displacement from the track way.

3. An amusement device of the kind described comprising a plurality of traveling t'ackways defining'courses extending in a general horizontal direction, and arranged side by side, a propellable vehicle mounted on each of the trackvvays to traverse the respective course defined thereby, and means for confining each of the vehicles to its respective trackway throughout its entire course.

4. An amusement device of the kind described comprising a plurality of traveling l trackways defining substantially horizontal courses, bicycles. mounted respectively on each trackway to move therewith and over the course defined thereby, and anchoring devices secured to each bicycle and slidably connecting the same with its respective trackway, said anchoring devices being constructed to confine the bicycle to the trackway throughout its entire course independent of the rider, and for maintaining the bicycle in an upright position.

5. An amusement device of the kind described, comprising a plurality of substantially co-extensive trackwvays defining courses extending in a general horizontal direction, means for actuating said trackways to travel in the direction of their courses, vehicles supported by the track- 7 ways respectively and capable of being moved relatively thereover to traverse their respective courses, said track-ways being spaced apart and havinga stationary passage-Way therebetween, and means for confining the vehicles to the course defined by its respective track-ways.

6. An amusement device oi the kind described, comprising a platform having a plurality of slots therein, said slots being circular and substantially concentric with each other, a movable track-way mounted in each of said slots, means formovingfsaid I track-ways, vehicles mounted on each of said track-ways and capable-of being propelled thereover independent of the movement" ofthe track-Ways, the spaces between said slots providing passage-ways, and means for attaching the vehicles to the track-Ways to maintain'them in position against unauthorized displacement.

7. An amusement device comprisinga track-way, a vehicle mounted on the trackway to move thereover, means for maintaining the vehicle on the track way including an attaching element to be securedto thevehicle, a yokeimember on said means having its opposite arms extending downwardly around the side edges-of the track-way withinga bicycle attaching means on the upperportion thereof and having a yoke member on its lower portion, the arms of the yoke member extending respectively downwardly and around the side edges of said track-way, and anti-frictional members on the yoke member to engage said trackway.

9; An amusement device of the character describedcomprising a plurality of trackways mounted side by side, a bicyclemount ed on each of the tracks respectively, -a bracket device for confining each bicycle to its respective track-way and normally main taining the same in vertical position, said bracket device comprising an upright -hav ing a bicycle attaching means on the upper portion thereof and having a yoke member on its lower portion, the arms of the yoke member extending respectively downwardly and around the side edges of said track-way, itIltl-fllCiSlODZLl members on the yoke member to engage said track-way, supporting means for the track-ways permitting the track ways to be moved in the direction of their length and means for moving said trackways.

10; In'an amusement device, a vmoving track-way having depending flanges on the side edges thereof, a rail on the-under-face of said track-way, flanged supporting wheels onwhich said rail rests, a' gear rack on the under-face of said track-way and a driven gear wheel in engagement with said rack, a vehicle on the upper surfaceof the track-way to be propelled thereover, a yoke member extending transversely across the track-way and having its under portions extending downwardly around the side edges thereof and then inwardly underlying'the track-way, means on the yoke for securing said vehicle thereto, eachend portion of the yoke-havinga roller mounted thereon to engage the under-face of the track-way and other anti-friction members in advance of and to the rear of said roller to engagethe inner face of the adjacent flange of said track.

11. An amusement device comprising a track-way, avehicle mounted on the trackway to move thereover, means for maintaining the vehicle on the track-way including an attaching element to be secured to the vehicle, a yoke member on said means having itsopposite arms extending around the side-edges of the track-way with its ends underlying the track-way, rollers on the end portions ofsaid yoke to engage the underface of said track-way.

12. An amusement'deviceof the kind described comprising trackw-ays courses extending in a general horizontal direction and arranged side by side, a manually propellable vehicle mounted on each of the trackways to traverse the respective course defined thereby, and means for confining each of the vehiclesto its respective trackway throughout its entire course, each vehicle being independently movable with respect to each other.

13. An amusement device comprising a plurality of trackways defining substantially horizontal courses, bicycles mounted respectively on each trackway to move thereover, and confining means secured to each bicycle and to slidably engage the trackway to confine the bicycles to their respective courses and for maintaining the bicycle in upright position when occupied or unoccupied, the bicycles on the respective trackways being disconnected.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK JAcoB', NEWSBAUM.

defining 

